STRENGTHS

SQUAD DEPTH

The first strength was a weakness four years ago – the depth of the squad. Back then, we were exposed to players who got injured. We suffered badly – Liam Bridcutt, Tom Hopper and Jorge Grant were all injured, and that left us looking weak. Right now, we have two for each position, and seemingly good depth to change things from the bench.

The very thing that derailed us in 2020 is now something we’ve turned into a positive. This SWOT analysis is obviously not used by the club as a blueprint for the future, but if it were, there would be a gentle ripple of applause around the room right now for actioning the previous weaknesses.

CLUB STRUCTURE

This is actually a big one. I’m not just talking the coaching staff, who seem well suited to each other, varied in their approach and all with clearly defined roles (I’m told a certain assistant manager often had people wondering exactly what he did all week). I’m not just talking the board either, which now has more men of means on it, more expertise and yet still retains that grounded approach to our business. I’m not talking purely about the training ground, which attracts good young players from across the country with the quality of pitches and facilities.

No, I’m talking about all of that. The whole club, from top to bottom, has a clear direction and focus, a plan that everyone aligns with. Whether that’s the playing style, the business direction, the like-minded people dotted across the club, our structure is a huge strength we should be proud of.

FAN ENGAGEMENT

I know, the sickly one. Growing up, I loved the Deranged Ferret fanzine because it was a critical voice shouting in the face of what often seemed like club-sponsored propaganda. I realise now it wasn’t always right, nor was the club, but that there was a need for a battleground, where fans met board for a good old shouting match at a forum.

That’s not the case now. I firmly believe the fans can trust the club to do the right thing, and that is a real strength. Look at the summer signings – the fans wanted a bit of everything and got it. We got returning heroes, big-name captures with experience, strikers (a couple of them, actually) and even an Under 21 international. We got depth in the squad, which we’ve cried out for.

It feels like that sort on unity is needed because, in the main, it buys a club time if things don’t go quite as well on the field. Almost 50 years ago to the day, our supporters cheered an opposition club as they beat us 5-0 at home, because that unity and cohesion wasn’t there. It’s a massive part of a club moving forward.